When Sports Authority hosts Going Out of Business Sales at 140 of its retail store locations in 2016, it will be cutting its brick-and-mortar retail chain by almost 30%. It will also be handing over business and customers to its major competitors like Dick's Sporting Goods and Academy Sports + Outdoors.

But most importantly, the 140 Sports Authority Going Out of Business store closing sales won't just mark the end of 140 physical retail locations, it may also mark the beginning of the end for the Sports Authority retail brand.

On March 2, 2016 Sports Authority began Chapter 11 in its corporate history when it filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Once the largest Sporting Goods retail chain in the U.S., it's not clear if Sport Authority does file for Chapter 11 reorganization protection that it would be able to survive bankruptcy court and live on to reclaim its authority as the ultimate retailer of fishing poles, golf balls and advertising logo t-shirts in the U.S. retail industry.

I mentioned to one of my most active/athletic friends that I was writing this article about the 140 Sports Authority store closings that would be happening in 2016, and she immediately said: "I'm not really surprised." And here's where our conversation took us...

FRIEND: It's not really the kind of store that draws you in and makes you WANT to shop.

ME: Really? Why is that?

FRIEND: They're just really tired.

ME: What do you mean? The stores are old?

FRIEND: Something like that. But it's more like... It's not a place that says "Come in and shop around and see all the new stuff!" It's more of a place that says "Drag your ass through and schlock through our crap bins to see if you can find a discount."

(Apologies to the employees and fans of Sports Authority, but it's uncensored market research worth noting. )

Perhaps my friend just happened to wander into one of the 140 store locations on the Sports Authority 2016 Going Out of Business Sale hit list. For the sake and the future of the Sports Authority brand, let's hope so.

What follows is a complete list of all Sports Authority Store Closing Going Out of Business Sales in 2016. Even though the decision by Sports Authority leaders to completely exit the state of Texas received the most attention, there will be Sports Authority stores going out of business in 26 states and in Puerto Rico through the Spring of 2016.

BOOKMARK THIS PAGE as more information about exact store closing dates of Sports Authority Final Going Out of Business Sales becomes available. The list below is arranged alphabetically according to states and cities where Sports Authority going out of business sales will be conducted.